21st Century Learning and Teaching

Given the publicity attracted by recent high-profile data breaches and the consequences for those whose personal information was subsequently leaked, it may, perhaps, concern parents to learn that around half of the sites examined by GPEN were happily and willingly sharing their children's data with third parties.

Also, considering the occasionally dark nature of the world we live in, anyone with responsibility for a child's welfare may well not like the revelation that just under 1 in 4 sites and apps gave kids the opportunity to upload their photo or add video clips. 22% of the services looked at also allowed youngsters to hand over their phone numbers.

Sadly, despite the potential problems posed by allowing children to share too much data, only 24% of the tested apps and websites encouraged any sort of parental oversight.

What's more, should a concerned adult discover that their offspring is revealing too much personal information, the options for remedying the situation are few and far between - with 71% of the investigated services making it difficult or impossible to delete accounts.

Adam Stevens, head of the ICO's intelligence hub said:

These are concerning results. The attitude shown by a number of these websites and apps suggested little regard for how anyone's personal information should be handled, let alone that of children.

Learn more:

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/often-asked-questions-are-there-cyber-security-dangers-with-apps-and-whats-about-privacy/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/specialized-magazines-for-apps/

Parents across the world today need to have a new conversation with their kids. No, it’s not about behaving in class, not talking to strangers, or having sex. But in so many ways, it's just as important. It’s data permanence. How we can preserve our reputations in the digital era?

It’s a conversation that will look very different in different parts of the world. In some places, kids will have to think twice before posting photos of teenage escapades, given how such photos may look to others in a professional environment even many years later. In other places, kids will have to be careful of posting any items that may “dishonor” them or their family in some way.

In still other places, kids will have to think about whether what they post on sensitive political, ethnic, or religious issues may define them long after they have changed their views.